After completing the CAO PERROT Crystal Cloud installation at Swarovski Crystal World in Austria, artists Andy Cao & Xavier Perrot dreamed of introducing the first "Traveling Cloud" in Vietnam. Their dream came true thanks to a chance encounter with Vietnamese architect Pham Duong and the Architects Association of Yen Bai Province. This fateful meeting led to a visit to Doi Mam Xoi, a high plateau in the "valley of a thousand steps" in La Pan Tan Mu Cang Chai, one of the most photographed sites in Northern Highland Vietnam.

Standing on Doi Mam Xoi, surrounded by layer upon layer of rice terraces, and after observing the Hmong farmers tending the fields, Cao & Perrot had a vision that this beautiful site could be the ideal location for their first temporary crystal cloud installation in Vietnam. They also knew that creating such an ephemeral new artwork should be a close collaboration with the local Hmong community, highlighting the beauty of things handmade, and continuing the Hmong's long tradition of sculpting the land.

The Crystal Cloud is made with hand-sculpted galvanized wire mesh, and adorned with 58,000 brilliant Swarovski Crystals. The cloud formation is supported by a series of randomly-placed galvanized steel posts resembling a shimmering crystal forest.

CAO PERROT Traveling Crystal Cloud was made possible by the generous contributions from Sao Thai Duong, Swarovski, as well as the unwavering support of architect Le Viet Ha (CEO of ASHUI); architect Pham Duong and the Architects Association of Yen Bai province; the People’s Committee of Yen Bai Province; the People’s Committee of Mu Cang Chai district; the Hmong Commune of La Pan Tan, and the support of many friends and volunteers.

To all, we offer our most sincere gratitude for championing the spirit of art making, and opening a new dialogue for creating art in public spaces.